An unusual vintage French real-photo postcard depicting Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini together in an open Mercedes-Benz parade car during an official ceremonial procession.
The photograph presents an impressive historical scene, with Hitler and Mussolini visible together in the rear passenger compartment, surrounded by uniformed personnel lining the route. German soldiers and standards are visible in the foreground, while a second official automobile follows behind.
The Mercedes carries the distinctive registration IA-103708, a historically documented registration associated with Mercedes automobiles used in connection with Adolf Hitler and later associated with the famous armored Mercedes preserved in France.
The reverse identifies the automobile in French as:
“Grande Voiture de Parade, blindée, de HITLER”
The printed specifications describe the vehicle as approximately six meters long and 2.20 meters wide, weighing approximately 5½ tons in operating condition, with “Fabrication 1942” also printed beneath the description.
Published in Paris by Éditions d’Art, 15 rue Martel, Paris, the postcard is additionally marked “VÉRITABLE PHOTO” on the reverse.
This postcard appears to belong to the fascinating postwar French history surrounding automobiles associated with Hitler. Armored Mercedes automobiles presented as Hitler’s former parade cars were exhibited publicly in France after the war, attracting considerable public attention and becoming subjects of souvenir postcards.
Of particular collector interest is the photographic subject itself. Rather than being a conventional portrait postcard, the image documents Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini appearing together during an official motorcade, combining two of the most recognizable political figures of the Axis period with one of the era’s most famous German luxury automobiles.
The excellent photographic composition also provides considerable period detail, including the Mercedes automobile, registration plate IA-103708, uniformed personnel, standards and the accompanying official vehicle.
An especially interesting crossover collectible for collectors of Third Reich photographic material, Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini historical imagery, Axis history, Mercedes-Benz automobiles and postwar militaria-related ephemera.
Condition: Very good vintage condition overall. Strong photographic contrast and excellent image detail. Light age and handling wear are present, including minor edge and corner wear consistent with age. Reverse shows light toning and minor handling marks.
Period: Post-WWII
Country of Issue: France
Historical Subject: Third Reich / Fascist Italy
Subjects: Adolf Hitler & Benito Mussolini
Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz Parade Car
Registration Shown: IA-103708
Caption: “Grande Voiture de Parade, blindée, de HITLER”
Publisher: Éditions d’Art, 15 rue Martel, Paris
Format: Real Photo Postcard
Reverse Marking: “VÉRITABLE PHOTO”
Written: No
Addressed: No
Postally Used: No
Stamp: None
Cancellation: None
Originality: Original Vintage Postwar Postcard
